Public Policy Network

On Dec.22, the government was shut down over a disagreement between congressional Democrats and the President over funding for a wall along the US-Mexico border. At that point, there were 49 Democrats in the Senate, enough to deny the 60 votes to pass a government funding bill that had cleared the Republican-controlled House. Less than two weeks later, in a new Congress, Democrats had 47 votes in the Senate, still enough to deny the requisite 60 votes. On the House side, more than 100 new members were sworn in, most of them Democrats, giving that party control of the House.

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Centuries ago, some Native American tribes practiced a custom known as "burying the hatchet," which was an important step towards ending conflict, establishing peace and paving the way for cooperation between previously warring factions. Delaware adopted this tradition more than 150 years ago. On Return Day, the day following an election, politicians who had competed for state, federal and local offices gather in Georgetown, Delaware to parade together and actually bury a ceremonial hatchet. This helps remind everyone that bipartisan cooperation inures to the benefit of the entire state. Delaware's practice could serve as an example to those active in politics across the nation.

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With the 2018 midterms rapidly shrinking in the rear-view mirror, key policy players are scrambling in a number of different directions at the same time. The 115th Congress, which ceases to exist on January 3, is working to finish business that could have been done before the elections but must be done before the end of the year. Members of the 116th Congress, particularly House Democrats, are running full speed (not necessarily in the same direction) in an effort to get organized by January 3. In the meantime, the President and approximately 20 Democrats are starting to prepare for the 2020 presidential elections, which are a mere 700 days away.

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When teaching a teenager to drive, one of the first items covered by the terrified parent is the importance of using one foot for both the gas pedal and the brake. One foot on the gas and the other on the brake makes for an unhappy keeper of the car keys. This same rule might apply to the nation's fiscal and monetary policy as well, making for a well-adjusted economy. Or, maybe not.

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Congress may feel a little like comedian Rodney Dangerfield who was famous for bemoaning the fact that he "got no respect." Dangerfield once observed, "My psychiatrist told me I was crazy, and I said, 'I want a second opinion.' He said, 'Okay, you're ugly too.'" Today's Congress is presiding over a strong economy with very low unemployment, yet the RealClearPolitics political website polling average shows that 73 percent of the public disapproves of Congress, while only 18.2 percent approves.

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Labor Day holds a special place on election-year calendars because that is when many voters start to lock in their candidate preferences. However, as everyone in politics learned in 2016, many of the accepted dynamics of previous elections may no longer apply.

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